dental implants

Dental implants offer significant long-term oral health benefits to patients and look more natural than dentures. Artificial roots, made from metallic materials, that are fully compatible with your bridge tissue, are surgically implanted into your jaw.

Dental implants offer significant long-term oral health benefits to patients and look more natural than dentures.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant can be thought of as an artificial tooth root that is submerged into the jawbone.

A dental implant is fabricated from a very strong material that is compatible with your body and is placed in a procedure which is generally no more inconvienient than a tooth extraction.

After an initial healing period during which the implant in buried in bone and left undisturbed under gum tissue, it is covered and connected to a small metal post that secures and supports the artificial teeth.

Why should i consider dental implants?

Dental implants are like a third set of teeth. they feel much more natural and secure than traditional removable denture plates, especially if these are loose-fitting because of extensive bone loss.

Dental implants allow for the replacement of a missing tooth without having to modify adjacent teeth.

Course of treatment

A dental implant involves two visits to us over three months. There is minimal discomfort associated, certainly no more than a regular tooth extraction, sometimes less.

Before the procedure

The dentist makes a first examination and takes one or more x-rays of the area to prepare for the procedure.

Installing the implant

This surgery generally takes about 60 minutes to complete. After 10 days the stitches are removed and the implant is allowed to heal for about three months. During this time, bone grows into the implant surface to secure it.

Attaching the new crown

This part of the surgery is very simple and lasts about 30 minutes. A post is attached to the implant until the final prothesis is complete which can takes as little as 2 weeks.

End result

You should expect the new tooth to fit and function just like a natural tooth. Do your usual dental hygiene to keep the tooth and gum around it clean and healthy.

About our choice of implant system?

Dr. Ritchie has trained on many implant systems but has chosen to use a system developed by the University of Toronto over 15 years ago.

Endopore has the longest data of any implant on the market, with university studies of over ten years. Dr. Ritchie placed his first Endopore implant in 1998 and the patient has had no problems.

Since then Dr. Ritchie has placed over 250 Endopore implants.

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